Topic description and stories

Illustration of spinal cord

‘Wraparound’ implants represent new approach to treating spinal cord injuries

08 May 2024

A tiny, flexible electronic device that wraps around the spinal cord could represent a new approach to the treatment of spinal injuries, which can...

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Inflatable, shape-changing spinal implants could help treat severe pain

25 Jun 2021

A team of engineers and clinicians has developed an ultra-thin, inflatable device that can be used to treat the most severe forms of pain without the...

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Cambridge researchers launch charity to tackle ‘slow motion spinal cord injury’ affecting up to a million UK adults

07 May 2019

Today sees the official launch of Myelopathy.org, a charity dedicated to one of the most common, yet under-diagnosed neurological conditions. The...

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Wheelchair

Spinal injury and ‘biorobotic control’ of the bladder

16 Feb 2016

There are many challenges facing people with spinal cord injury – and walking again is often the least of their problems. Cambridge research could...

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What is so unusual about a sloth’s neck?

11 Nov 2015

The Cambridge Animal Alphabet series celebrates Cambridge’s connections with animals through literature, art, science and society. Here, X is for...

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Mouse embryos half-way through gestation (embryonic day 10.5). From left to right: normal size, growth restricted and growth enhanced.

Folic acid deficiency can affect the health of great, great grandchildren

26 Sep 2013

Deficiencies associated with spina bifida, heart defects and placental abnormalities.

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A dog called Jasper during the trial

First randomised controlled trial to show spinal cord regeneration in dogs

19 Nov 2012

Researchers have shown it is possible to restore co-ordinated limb movement in dogs with severe spinal cord injury (SCI).

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backache

Back ache: it’s been a pain for millions of years

21 Mar 2011

Research by a Cambridge archaeologist shows that back pain caused untold misery long before we started staring into screens and slumping on sofas.

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Sloth

How sloths got their long neck

19 Oct 2010

New research gives insight into one of the few mammals with more than seven neck vertebrae.

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Microtomographic image showing the 3D structure of a resorbable support material designed to allow in-growth as it degrades

Next-generation medical implants

01 Sep 2008

At the Cambridge Centre for Medical Materials, a highly interdisciplinary approach is meeting the challenge of bioengineering new materials for the...

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Crutches

An invention to help repair damaged joints

01 Sep 2008

Medical devices created by a spin-out company from the University of Cambridge are helping the body to heal itself.

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